Special Report

39 States Where People Gave Up Looking for Jobs During the Pandemic

Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the U.S. labor market. Millions of Americans lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, as many businesses were shut down temporarily or for good. 

Though spiking unemployment figures were widely publicized, another segment of the U.S. population grew as well — discouraged workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines discouraged workers as people “who have looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months, but were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.” 

From the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of discouraged workers in America increased by nearly 200,000, up to 574,300. This indicates that thousands of Americans who had already been out of work gave up looking for jobs, as career opportunities became scarce. (These are the 25 lowest-paying jobs in America.)

Though the number of discouraged workers increased in nearly every state, in some, this population more than doubled or even tripled. On the average nationwide, the number of discouraged workers increased by more than 66% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020. 

The news wasn’t all bad. Despite the economic circumstances, with every state reporting increasing unemployment figures, 11 states actually had a declining number of discouraged workers — Alabama, Utah, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, Arizona, Montana, Delaware, Idaho — and a 12th, South Dakota, reported no change. These are the American cities that added jobs during the pandemic.

To determine the states where people gave up looking for jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the percentage change between discouraged workers in Q4 2019 and Q4 2020. Labor force and unemployment data was also obtained from the BLS. Population change was calculated based on annual population figures published by the current population survey.

Click here to see 39 states where people gave up looking for jobs during the pandemic.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

39. North Carolina
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +3.8% (Q4 2020 total: 16,500)
> 2020 labor force: 4,950,859
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.3% — 25th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.1% — 10th largest

[in-text-ad]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

38. Kansas
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +4.0% (Q4 2020 total: 2,600)
> 2020 labor force: 1,497,003
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9% — 11th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.0% — 16th smallest

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

37. Arkansas
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +5.0% (Q4 2020 total: 4,200)
> 2020 labor force: 1,354,296
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1% — 15th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.4% — 24th largest

Adam-Springer / Getty Images

36. Hawaii
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +6.7% (Q4 2020 total: 1,600)
> 2020 labor force: 648,191
> 2020 unemployment rate: 11.6% — 2nd highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.6% — 2nd smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

thyegn / iStock via Getty Images

35. Washington
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +9.9% (Q4 2020 total: 8,900)
> 2020 labor force: 3,914,869
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4% — 12th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.0% — 11th largest

RudyBalasko / Getty Images

34. Minnesota
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +11.1% (Q4 2020 total: 3,000)
> 2020 labor force: 3,094,702
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2% — 18th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.3% — 24th smallest

[in-text-ad]

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

33. Mississippi
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +15.6% (Q4 2020 total: 7,400)
> 2020 labor force: 1,259,347
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1% — 15th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.3% — 6th smallest

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

32. North Dakota
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +16.7% (Q4 2020 total: 700)
> 2020 labor force: 406,839
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1% — 4th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.4% — 23rd largest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

31. Rhode Island
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +18.2% (Q4 2020 total: 1,300)
> 2020 labor force: 541,680
> 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4% — 8th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.2% — 8th smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

volvob12b / Flickr

30. Alaska
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +18.8% (Q4 2020 total: 1,900)
> 2020 labor force: 347,414
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8% — 19th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.1% — 13th smallest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

29. Virginia
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +20.4% (Q4 2020 total: 12,400)
> 2020 labor force: 4,346,644
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2% — 16th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.6% — 16th largest

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

28. Georgia
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +21.1% (Q4 2020 total: 23,000)
> 2020 labor force: 5,072,155
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5% — 20th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.9% — 13th largest

pawel.gaul / Getty Images

27. Michigan
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +31.5% (Q4 2020 total: 18,800)
> 2020 labor force: 4,840,843
> 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9% — 5th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.2% — 9th smallest

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

26. Oklahoma
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +33.3% (Q4 2020 total: 5,600)
> 2020 labor force: 1,848,485
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1% — 13th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.6% — 18th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

rarrarorro / iStock via Getty Images

25. District of Columbia
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +38.5% (Q4 2020 total: 1,800)
> 2020 labor force: 409,734
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.0%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

24. Tennessee
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +48.1% (Q4 2020 total: 12,000)
> 2020 labor force: 3,289,426
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5% — 24th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.8% — 15th largest

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

23. Missouri
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +54.2% (Q4 2020 total: 9,100)
> 2020 labor force: 3,052,700
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1% — 14th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.2% — 22nd smallest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

22. Maine
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +57.1% (Q4 2020 total: 1,100)
> 2020 labor force: 676,547
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.4% — 6th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.4% — 22nd largest

Davel5957 / Getty Images

21. New Mexico
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +57.1% (Q4 2020 total: 3,300)
> 2020 labor force: 943,287
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4% — 11th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.5% — 21st largest

[in-text-ad-2]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

20. Wisconsin
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +60.5% (Q4 2020 total: 6,100)
> 2020 labor force: 3,065,402
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3% — 19th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.2% — 20th smallest

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

19. Illinois
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +62.1% (Q4 2020 total: 18,800)
> 2020 labor force: 6,249,147
> 2020 unemployment rate: 9.5% — 7th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.7% — the smallest

[in-text-ad]

FilippoBacci / Getty Images

18. New York
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +63.4% (Q4 2020 total: 53,600)
> 2020 labor force: 9,289,171
> 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0% — 4th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.6% — 3rd smallest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

17. South Carolina
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +66.7% (Q4 2020 total: 9,500)
> 2020 labor force: 2,384,590
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2% — 17th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.3% — 5th largest

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

16. Texas
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +72.0% (Q4 2020 total: 57,800)
> 2020 labor force: 13,983,319
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6% — 23rd highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.2% — 7th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

15. West Virginia
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +73.7% (Q4 2020 total: 3,300)
> 2020 labor force: 792,156
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3% — 14th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.4% — 4th smallest

choness / Getty Images

14. California
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +74.9% (Q4 2020 total: 80,800)
> 2020 labor force: 18,821,167
> 2020 unemployment rate: 10.1% — 3rd highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.4% — 5th smallest

[in-text-ad]

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

13. Connecticut
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +78.3% (Q4 2020 total: 10,700)
> 2020 labor force: 1,872,631
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9% — 18th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.2% — 7th smallest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

12. New Jersey
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +85.5% (Q4 2020 total: 15,400)
> 2020 labor force: 4,495,166
> 2020 unemployment rate: 9.8% — 6th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.0% — 14th smallest

Ronald E Grafe / Getty Images

11. Ohio
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +90.9% (Q4 2020 total: 16,800)
> 2020 labor force: 5,754,286
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1% — 16th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.0% — 17th smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

10. New Hampshire
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +100.0% (Q4 2020 total: 1,400)
> 2020 labor force: 761,732
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7% — 22nd lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.5% — 20th largest

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

9. Florida
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +109.8% (Q4 2020 total: 64,000)
> 2020 labor force: 10,114,329
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.7% — 21st highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.2% — 8th largest

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

8. Massachusetts
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +131.4% (Q4 2020 total: 11,800)
> 2020 labor force: 3,658,321
> 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9% — 10th highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.0% — 15th smallest

4kodiak / Getty Images

7. Nevada
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +145.2% (Q4 2020 total: 7,600)
> 2020 labor force: 1,530,872
> 2020 unemployment rate: 12.8% — the highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +1.9% — 3rd largest

Jonathanking / Wikimedia Commons

6. Vermont
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +150.0% (Q4 2020 total: 1,000)
> 2020 labor force: 330,058
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6% — 8th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +-0.1% — 11th smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

ChrisBoswell / Getty Images

5. Nebraska
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +170.0% (Q4 2020 total: 2,700)
> 2020 labor force: 1,035,175
> 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2% — the lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.2% — 18th smallest

Davel5957 / Getty Images

4. Maryland
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +203.1% (Q4 2020 total: 9,700)
> 2020 labor force: 3,172,796
> 2020 unemployment rate: 6.8% — 23rd lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.2% — 19th smallest

[in-text-ad]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

3. Iowa
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +216.7% (Q4 2020 total: 3,800)
> 2020 labor force: 1,666,420
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3% — 5th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.3% — 23rd smallest

collins_family / Flickr

2. Wyoming
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +250.0% (Q4 2020 total: 700)
> 2020 labor force: 296,801
> 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8% — 9th lowest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.6% — 17th largest

4nadia / Getty Images

1. Oregon
> Chg. in discouraged workers, Q4 2019-Q4 2020: +407.1% (Q4 2020 total: 7,100)
> 2020 labor force: 2,104,657
> 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6% — 22nd highest
> Population change, 2019-2020: +0.6% — 19th largest

Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.